Thursday, February 5, 2009

MY BEST SHOT


This is a post in response to "A Thousand Word Thursday"
Click on the link and share your own photograph.

A photo of myself that I actually like:
        When I taught art, we teachers had to have our photos taken each year for the yearbook. We had to sit for the photographer around 7:00 am, before students arrived. I am NOT a morning person, so in my photo I always looked like I had just eaten a lemon. If I received a fairly good image of myself, I used that same photo for the next seven or eight years until another good one showed up. 
        I am just not photogenic. Usually, I look like my smile is fake or I am not smiling at all. Or my eyes are closed. Or there is glare in my glasses. Or my hair is a mess. It's always something.

        A few days ago, I visited my 94-year-old mother. When I arrived, she was showing family photographs to a man from her church. She handed me the one above and asked where it was taken. On the back was written "1987" the year I turned 42 and she turned 73. Some relatives from out of town had been visiting, so we met at the home of other relatives for dinner. I drove there after a day of teaching. Otherwise I would have been wearing jeans instead of a dress.
        Despite the big hair, I like this photo of me. I look bright and happy. That may be because it was taken in the afternoon when I was full of energy and felt like a real person, not at dawn when any sensible person would be in bed. 
        Of course, I would look good ---I was 22 years younger in that picture than I am now. And despite the strangely-tinted glasses my mother is wearing, by contrast she looks healthy compared to her current frailness. 
        Until I find a better one, I will say the photo above was "my best shot."
(©2009, C.J.Peiffer)

13 comments:

4 Lettre Words said...

Great photo!

Happy ATWT to you!

Abby said...

You both look nice! Happy Thursday!

Sarah said...

I get the same way! If I find a good pic of myself, thats the one I keep out! The rest generally get deleted!

Anonymous said...

A lovely picture! Thank you for sharing.

Bree Shaw said...

what a great memory:) happy atwt!

Anonymous said...

I HATE having my picture taken too! Glad you found one you like!

The Frugal Angel-Guided Psychic said...

It is a lovely picture of the two of you.

As I think of it. I don't have any of my mother and myself.

The Mom Jen said...

Great shot! Thanks for joining in ATWT!

Sarah said...

Very nice photo! I can definitely relate to having trouble finding photos of yourself that you like. I'm not sure they exist.

Kari @ A Giveaway Addicted Mommy said...

I also was a teacher who NEVER took a good picture for the yearbook. I found out that the secret was making "friends" with the yearbook kids. Eventually I got to replace the picture with whatever I chose!

Andrea Frederick said...

Awesome picture and great memory!

Evolving Mommy Catherine said...

Sometimes I think I smile better when I am relaxed and taking a picture with someone a love. What a great shot, you look great.

Jenners said...

Wonderful photo! And I love that your mother is still with you and seems to be doing well!

I was just stopping by to thank you for your recent visits to my blogs! I enjoyed your comments very much and appreciate the book recommendations you gave m!